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October 2, 2001

Built by Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., it replaces the 82-foot patrol boat POINT SAL (WPB 82352), commissioned in 1966.

STURGEON is the 36th of 50 nearly identical vessels being built by Bollinger for the Coast Guard in a contract worth more than $200 million.

Overall, STURGEON is 87 feet long, with a 17.4-foot beam and 5.9 foot draft. It is powered by two MTU diesel engines with a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 882 nautical miles. It has a crew of ten and accommodations for 11 in any male/female crew mix.

The new, fast, shallow draft cutter equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is designed to operate up to 200 miles offshore as well as near shore.

It is equipped with a larger pilothouse than the boat it replaces, providing 360-degree visibility with an integrated and sophisticated command and control system. It also has a stern launch and recovery system for a small aluminum boat with rubber side guards (RIB) that improves efficiency and safety over the present crane launch and recovery system employed on the boat it replaces.

It is designed to work closely with the Coast Guards future deep-water assets and all of its aircraft. The cutter is uniquely capable of providing home defense and is expected to provide added security for LOOP (Louisiana Offshore Oil Port) and offshore energy platforms for many years.

In comments prepared for the delivery ceremony last Friday, Bollinger Shipyards chairman and CEO Boysie Bollinger said, The terrorists attacks on the United States on September 11th have once again focused attention on the Coast Guard and its inestimable value to our country and its homeland security. Within minutes after the attacks on the World Trade Towers in New York City, Coast Guard cutters and their crews were assisting the area emergency response agencies. They transported medical aid and logistical personnel and provided security for New York harbor. Coast Guard men and women were also at ground zero fighting fires, doing search and rescue work, unloading supplies and checking air quality. 

"Since the first Bollinger-built cutter was delivered to the Coast Guard in 1985, these commissioning ceremonies have been a great source of pride for the company and our people," he said. Even more, is the sense of patriotism we feel when we see them responding to serve our country and fellow citizens in times of need. We know that although we cannot be there in person to help, the fruits of our labors are there making a difference.

The Coast Guard has one of the most inclusive set of missions within the U. S. federal system," noted Bollinger, "yet its funding is hardly adequate for this multi-mission arm of the U. S. Department of Transportation. As an example, of the 41 world fleets, vessels of the
U. S. Coast Guard average out to the 40th oldest, with small, less advantaged countries such as Romania and Bangladesh having younger fleets.